**Title:** Azteco Expands Bitcoin Access to Millions Worldwide
**Meta Description:** Azteco partners with gift card distributors to bring Bitcoin to 598 million potential users, aiming to bank the unbanked globally.
**URL Slug:** azteco-bitcoin-access-expansion
**Headline:** Azteco’s New Partnerships Aim to Bank the Unbanked with Bitcoin
Azteco, a leading international Bitcoin gift card provider, has recently announced a series of strategic partnerships with digital gift card distributors, potentially reaching 598 million new customers. As these distribution deals continue to roll out, the company anticipates a total of 1.3 billion potential users. Akin Fernandez, the founder of Azteco, emphasized the transformative nature of Bitcoin, stating, “We’re turning Bitcoin from being a noun into a verb so that you can Bitcoin it.”
Since its inception in 2014, Azteco has been dedicated to banking the unbanked in developing regions, utilizing Bitcoin gift cards as a primary means of access. The new partnerships include collaborations with notable companies such as Razor, a video game software and hardware firm with 240 million tech-savvy customers. Other key partnerships focus on regions including Brazil, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with companies like Enterative®LIVE (30 million customers), DTOne (190 million), KaBum! (8 million), and PicPay, which has recently cleared compliance and is expected to add another 60 million users in Brazil.
Fernandez highlighted the vast market potential for Bitcoin, stating, “Bitcoin has all the utility of money, and that’s an absolutely enormous market, the size of which makes the current price of Bitcoin completely irrational.” Azteco, which initially raised $6 million in seed funding from various angel investors, including Jack Dorsey, is now seeking an additional $4 million to further its expansion efforts.
Jack Dorsey expressed his support for Azteco, stating, “My contribution to Azteco comes out of a deep respect for their mission. The unbanked population is immense. We have the technology and resources to close this gap, but until now, no one has taken that important next step. Azteco is providing so much more than just access to a secure financial system; it is building an ecosystem of financial self-determination that is secure and supported by local communities. I am honored to support them.”
The mission to bank the unbanked, a concept popularized by Bitcoin advocates like Andreas Antonopoulos in 2014, remains a driving force for Azteco. This initiative addresses the significant disparity in access to financial services between the Western elite and the rest of the world. Many unbanked individuals lack basic access to long-distance financial services, affordable credit, and the security of traditional bank accounts. Advocates argue that Bitcoin, as a decentralized technology, can provide solutions that traditional banks cannot, as it does not require user identification and functions as a bearer asset.
In conclusion, Azteco’s recent partnerships mark a significant step towards expanding Bitcoin access to millions of unbanked individuals globally. As the company continues to grow, it aims to create a more inclusive financial ecosystem that empowers communities and fosters financial independence.
**FAQ:**
**Q: How does Azteco plan to reach unbanked populations?**
A: Azteco is partnering with various digital gift card distributors to provide Bitcoin gift cards, making it easier for unbanked individuals to access Bitcoin and financial services.
